“They came to us seeking partnership because it is an Edgewater based project serving Edgewater, Andersonville, Uptown and Rogers Park. It has the support of Ald. [Harry] Osterman [48th Ward]. Senn High School is also one of the partners,” said Sarah Gabel, head of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Loyola.

The program, which will take place in the University’s Mundelein Center, is an incubator program.

“An incubator program is a space where artists can try out their work that is under development. The artists get an opportunity to try things out, make changes,” Gabel said.

There will be three projects developed for the program. The projects include: The Passion of Joseph Smith, a play about the friendship between Richard Wagner and Ludwig II and Three Graces.

The Chicago Opera Vanguard’s The Passion of Joseph Smith explores the last three days in the life of the founder of Mormonism, with libretto by Philip Dawkins, a Loyola University Chicago almunus, and composed by Eric Reda.

Dog and Pony Theatre Co. will then develop a piece about the relationship between Richard Wagner and Ludwig II. The project, which has yet to be titled, tells the story of how the friendship between artist and patron changed their lives.

The third and final project will be the tavern opera Three Graces. Performers will use a unique form of vocal art called recitative speaking where artists blur the boundaries between singing and speaking. Three Graces is slated to have its Chicago premiere in June 2013 at Pivot Arts’s multi-arts festival.

Students will have the chance to get involved in each project, acting as mentees.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to get involved and work with some talented people in the Chicago theatre community,” said Katie O’Neil, 20, a theatre major and musical theatre minor.